Health

Statin advantage and LDL

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Oct. 17, 2005

Print  |   Email  |   Respond  |   Reprints  |   Like Facebook  |   Share Twitter  |   Tweet Linkedin

The greater the reduction in LDL cholesterol from the use of statin drugs, the greater the reduction in incidence of major coronary events, coronary revascularization and stroke, according to a met-analysis published Sept. 26 in The Lancet.

The meta-analysis combined data from 14 randomized trials of statins involving more than 90,000 patients.

The investigators, from England and Australia, found that statin therapy could reduce the 5-year incidence of major coronary events and stroke by about one-fifth per mmol/L reduction in LDL cholesterol irrespective of a person's pre-treatment cholesterol level or other characteristics.

Meanwhile, another study found that statin use was associated with a 36% reduction in the risk of fracture among elderly men. Previous studies have shown an association between statin use and fracture risk in women but, the researchers noted, since many statin users are elderly men with heart disease, these findings are particularly relevant. The study appeared in the Sept. 26 Archives of Internal Medicine.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/10/17/hlbf1017.htm.

Back to top


ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISE HERE


Featured
Read story

Confronting bias against obese patients

Medical educators are starting to raise awareness about how weight-related stigma can impair patient-physician communication and the treatment of obesity. Read story


Read story

Goodbye

American Medical News is ceasing publication after 55 years of serving physicians by keeping them informed of their rapidly changing profession. Read story


Read story

Policing medical practice employees after work

Doctors can try to regulate staff actions outside the office, but they must watch what they try to stamp out and how they do it. Read story


Read story

Diabetes prevention: Set on a course for lifestyle change

The YMCA's evidence-based program is helping prediabetic patients eat right, get active and lose weight. Read story


Read story

Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture

The health system reform law promises no-cost coverage of a lengthy list of screenings and other prevention services, but some beneficiaries still might miss out. Read story


Read story

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice

Federal, state and local governments offer doctors incentives because practices are recognized as economic engines. But physicians must know how and where to find them. Read story


Read story

Advance pay ACOs: A down payment on Medicare's future

Accountable care organizations that pay doctors up-front bring practice improvements, but it's unclear yet if program actuaries will see a return on investment. Read story


Read story

Physician liability: Your team, your legal risk

When health care team members drop the ball, it's often doctors who end up in court. How can physicians improve such care and avoid risks? Read story

  • Stay informed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn